Handoff of care in the perspective of the nursing professionals of an emergency unit

Abstract

Objective: understand the view of the Nursing professionals of an emergency unit
about patients´ handoff of care. Method: a qualitative case study, performed in an
emergency unit of a public hospital, with 14 nursing professionals. The data were
collected by interview and observation in March 2017 and submitted to content
analysis. Results: nurses and nursing technicians evidenced the understanding and the
practice of patients´ handoff of care. The professionals mention fragmentation in the
handoff of care, related to the communication, teamwork and person-centered care,
but demonstrate compliance with the continuity of care, focusing on the shift change
and internal and external patients´ handoff. The nurse is a reference for the nursing
team and handoff of care, being key professional for the multi professional teamwork.
The professionals seek to overcome the difficulties resulting from the infrastructure,
excessive patients, communication and teamwork, which may compromise a safe
handoff of care and the continuity of care. Conclusion: the nursing team participate
in the patients´ handoff of care in the urgency and emergency services and shows
responsibility for the continuity of care. It´s necessary to implement actions that
promote the communication, teamwork and patient-centered care, addressing the
handoff of care as a patient safety measure.